Covid: Four new symptoms should trigger test, study says

17 February 2021, 16:10 | Updated: 18 February 2021, 07:17

Four additional symptoms should trigger a Covid test, according to a new study
Four additional symptoms should trigger a Covid test, according to a new study. Picture: PA

By Patrick Grafton-Green

Scientists have warned millions of coronavirus cases could be going undetected because people are only told to have a test if they have a cough, fever or loss of smell.

Researchers at King’s College London (KCL) behind a new study urged anyone who feels unwell to get a test.

They teamed up with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi) to analyse data from 122,000 UK adults using the Zoe Covid Symptom Study app.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson confirms England’s lockdown will be lifted in 'stages'

READ MORE: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab: No single 'cast iron formula' for lifting lockdown

The findings were published in the Journal of Infection.

What other common Covid-19 symptoms did the study find?

The study found four additional common coronavirus symptoms: fatigue, a sore throat, a headache and diarrhoea.

How often did people have these symptoms?

Testing people for these additional symptoms would help pick up around one-third more cases, researchers found.

Testing people with any of the three classic symptoms would have spotted 69% of symptomatic cases, with 46 people testing negative for every person testing positive.

But extending the list of symptoms to fatigue, headache, sore throat and diarrhoea in the first three days of illness would have detected 96% of symptomatic cases, with 95 testing negative for every positive test.

In addition, the study found 31% of people who are ill with Covid-19 do not have any of the classic symptoms in the early stages of the disease when most infectious.

Boris Johnson confirms England’s lockdown will be lifted in 'stages'

Symptom list 'should be extended'

Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the Zoe app and professor of genetic epidemiology at KCL said: "We've known since the beginning that just focusing testing on the classic triad of cough, fever and anosmia (loss of smell) misses a significant proportion of positive cases.

"We identified anosmia as a symptom back in May and our work led to the Government adding it to the list; it is now clear that we need to add more.

"By inviting any users who log any new symptoms to get a test, we confirmed that there are many more symptoms of Covid-19.

"This is especially important with new variants that may cause different symptoms.

"For us, the message for the public is clear: if you're feeling newly unwell, it could be Covid and you should get a test."

Implications for vaccine

The team said their findings could also be used in clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of potential Covid-19 vaccines.

Dr Jakob Cramer, head of clinical development at Cepi, said: "Accurate diagnosis of Covid-19 cases is crucial when assessing the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccine candidates in large-scale studies, especially since the signs and symptoms associated with the disease are extensive and overlap with other common viral infections.

James O'Brien: 1.7m more shielding proves lockdown scepticism 'stupid'

"The findings of this study provide important insights that will help optimise the choice of triggering symptoms for diagnostic work-up in Covid-19 vaccine-efficacy trials.

"We hope the findings of this study will not only aid Cepi's Covid-19 vaccine development partners but also the wider R&D community."

Main symptoms ‘kept under review’

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "An expert scientific group keeps the symptoms of Covid-19 under review.

"The main symptoms have been carefully selected to capture those most likely to have Covid-19, while not capturing a great number of people who do not.

"Anyone experiencing the main symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste - should get a test as soon as possible and immediately self-isolate along with their household."

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

William and Kate cheered on opposite sides at Wales v England Six Nations match

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt of France lift the Six Nations Trophy after their team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between France and Scotland at Stade de France

France win Six Nations after beating Scotland, shattering England title hopes

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

Rich people are getting married at a way higher rate than those with lower incomes as the ‘marriage gap’ between rich and poor hits a record 51%.

'Only rich people are getting married', new research suggests, as ‘marriage gap’ widens

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

The Forum Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant chef uses CCTV to prove 'nonsense' reviews wrong

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Military chiefs to meet in UK next week - as Starmer confirms Ukraine peace effort ‘moving into operational phase’

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Joanne Penney, 40.

Five charged and one arrested after fatal shooting of 'deeply loved' mother